M A I N   N E W S

Musharraf wooed Army men to attain goal
Placed officials on key posts

New Delhi, June 21
Nursing ambitions of becoming the President of Pakistan for the past one year, General Pervez Musharraf used arm-twisting methods to sideline politicians and installed about 90 serving and retired Army officials on key positions to realise his goal.

The General, who took over as the President last evening, posted his favourite and loyal Army officials in all important ministries to ensure that his elevation to the country’s highest post took place without any glitch.

While all leading politicians including two former Prime Ministers remained busy in defending themselves in various corruption cases, Gen Musharraf cleverly appointed his trusted officials in foreign and interior ministries, intelligence, police, accountability bureau, civil aviation and railways.

The General sent deposed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to exile in Saudi Arabia and refused political concession to Benazir Bhutto, who is in self-imposed exile in London. She was recently awarded a three-year prison term thus making her return to Pakistan impossible for the time being.

The loyal officials were handpicked from all the three services. In fact at present, 15 serving and retired lieut-generals, 16 serving and retired maj generals, two air marshals and three rear admirals are holding important positions in various government departments. Besides these officials, 40 serving and retired brigadiers and six colonels were also entrusted key jobs in the civilian departments.

Seven serving lt-generals are occupying vital official slots while Lt-General (retired) Moin-u-Din Haider is at present serving as the Interior Minister of the country, Lieut-Gen Mohammed Safdar is the Governor of Punjab province.

Two serving generals apart from holding the Mangla and Lahore Corps are also serving as the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Control Board and as the President of the Pakistan Hockey Federation.

The President also adjusted Lieut-Gen (retd) Javed Ashraf, Lieut-Gen (retd) Javed Nasir, Lieut-Gen Nasim Rana (Secretary Defence). Lieut-Gen (retd) Assad Durrani, the former ISI chief, was appointed as the Ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

Similarly, Lieut-Gen Iftikar Shah, former Communication Minister, was made the Governor of North West Frontier Province (NWFP), Lieut-Gen (retd) Mumtaz Gul, Chairman of the Public Service Commission, Vice-Admiral (retd) Shamoom Alam, Ambassador to Ukraine.

Air Marshal Azim Daudpota was appointed Governor of Sind, but he resigned last year. UNI